Container for small articles



June 5, 1951 P. NICOLAS CONTAINER FOR SMALL ARTICLES Filed Oct. 8, 1949 Patented June 5, 1951 CONTAINER FOR SMALL ARTICLES Pamphile Nicolas, Jackman Station, Maine, as-

signor of fifty per cent to A. L. Pomerleau,

J ackman Station, Maine Application October 8, 1949, Serial No. 120,345

2 Claims. 1

The present invention pertains to a novel container for small articles such as tool room supplies or, in the boudoir, for pins, jewelry and other accessories for ladies wear.

The principal object of the invention is to provide such a device wherein all parts of one kind are kept in one receptacle or cup. Another object is to provide such a container that permits the selected cup to be brought easily within reach,

and its lid automatically raised.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a container of the character described, consisting of relatively simple and inexpensive parts.

In the accomplishment of these objects, the device includes a post with one or more rotatable hubs thereon. A plurality of arms extend from each hub, and each arm carries a cup with a lid pivoted on the arm. Each arm has an upwardly offset finger engageable with a cam shoe fixed to the post. When the selected cup is rotated toward the shoe, the latter engages the offset finger of that cup and raises the lid automatically for access into the cup.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the following description and in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of the device;

Figure 2 is a detail section;

Figure 3 is a section plan view;

Figure 4 is a vertical section, and

Figure 5 is a detail perspective view.

Reference to these views will now be made by use of like characters which are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

In Figures 1 and 4 is shown a suitable base I with bottom lugs 2 for fastening to a floor or table, as desired. A vertical tubular post 3 extends upward froin the base and preferabl carries at its upper end a lamp socket 4 for a lamp 5. The conductor 5 for the lamp passes through the base I and post 3. A lamp shade I is suitably mounted on a fixed structural part such as thesocket 4.

One or more hubs 8, consisting each of a pair of plates, are rotatably mounted on the post 3. The lower hub rests on the base I, with a washer 9 interposed. Each upper hub rests upon a boss I0 secured on the post by set screws I I. A number of radial arms I2 are secured to the hubs and are preferably clamped between the plates thereof by bolts I3.

To the outer end of each arm I2 is secured a cup I 4 consisting preferably of a transparent material such as glass or plastic. Each cup is fitted with a lid I5 pivotally attached at IE to a pair of lugs I! on the adjacent arm I2, as shown in Figures 2 and 5. Each lid is formed with an upwardly offset, inwardly extending finger I8 for a purpose that will presently be described.

Over each hub 8 is a boss I9 secured on the post 3 by set screws 20. From each boss I9 extends a finger 2| carrying a cam shoe 22 lying in the circular path of the fingers I8 as the hubs are rotated. The ends of the shoes are turned upward at 23.

The shoes are preferably set at the forward side of the device or the side at which the device is approached. The cups are used to contain small pieces, each cup containing like parts which may differ from those in the remaining cups. Thus, the device is suited for containing tool room supplies such as screws, nuts, bolts, taps and the like. In a more ornamental form the device may be usedin the boudoir for various kinds of pins, jewelry and accessories.

When access to any selected cup is desired, the hub is rotated to bring the selected cup forward or to the approach side. On arriving at this position, the corresponding finger I8 rides under the shoe 22 and is depressed thereby, thus lifting the lid l5 as shown in Figures 3 and 4. One may then reach into the cup I4 below the raised lid. When the finger is swung out from under the shoe, the lid closes by gravity.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various alterations in the details of construction may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A container for small articles comprising a post, a hub rotatably mounted thereon, a plurality of arms extending radially from said hub, a cup on each arm, a lid for each cup having a pivotal connection t the corresponding arm, an offset finger extending from each lid and radially of said post, said lid and finger being disposed respectively on opposite sides of said pivotal connection, and a cam shoe extending from said post and lying in the circular path of said fingers, said shoe lying in a generally circular path around said post, to be engaged operatively by said fingers.

2. A container for small articles comprising a post, a hub rotatably mounted thereon, a plurality of arms extending radially from said hub, a

'cup on each arm, a lid for each cup having a pivotal connection to the corresponding arm, an offset finger extending from each lid and radially of said post, said lid and finger being disposed respectively on opposite sides of said pivotal connection, a boss rotatably adjustable on said post, and a cam shoe extending from said boss and lying in the circular path of said fingers, said shoe lying in a generally circular path around said post, to be engaged operatively by said fingers.

PAMPHILE NICOLAS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,797,077 Dew Mar. 17, 1931 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 215,447 Great Britain May 9, 1924 

